Side transfer apparatus

ABSTRACT

A side transfer apparatus for transferring a load to or from a vehicle load support. The apparatus includes a pair of loadsupporting bunks spaced longitudinally from one another alongside the vehicle to be loaded or unloaded. The bunks are supported on base members which house multiple fluid cylinders connecting the bunks to the base members. The cylinders move the bunks simultaneously upwardly and laterally toward the vehicle load support along a curved path to clear the vehicle. Then the bunks pass generally vertically through the horizontal plane of the vehicle load support to either deposit a load on the vehicle support or lift a load therefrom as desired.

United States Patent Batson [4 1 Mar. 21, 1972 [54] SIDE TRANSFER APPARATUS 3,174,630 3/1965 Tantlinger et a1. ..214/77 UX [72] Inventor: Dossie M. Batson Milwaukie Ores. 3,352,441 11/1967 Alden ..214/141 X [73] Assignee: Logging Systems, Inc., Portland, Oreg. Primary E m rI R b rt G- Sheridan [22] F1 d s t 2 1969 Attorney-Buckhorn, Blore, Klarquist and Sparkman 1 e ep [211 Appl. No.: 854,591 4 ABSTRACT A side transfer apparatus for transferring a load to or from a [52 us. 01 ..214/146.s, 214/38 cc, 214/149 vehicle P The apparatus includes a Pair 0f 103d- 51 1m. (:1 ..B65g 67/12 SuNaming bunks spaced mghudinally fwm [58 1 Field of Search ..214/38.22 38.4 38.46 502 akmgside the vehicle be waded The bunks supported on base members which house multiple fluid cylin- 214/77, 130, 141, 146.5, 149

ders connectmg the bunks to the base members. The cylmders move the bunks simultaneously upwardly and laterally toward [56] References cued the vehicle load support along a curved path to clear the vehi- UNITED STATES PATENTS cle. Then the bunks pass generally vertically through the horizontal plane of the vehicle load support to either deposit a 2 a l load on the vehicle support or lift a. load therefrom as desired. e1 2,627,959 2/1953 Seward ..214/38 CC X 14 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures WWW 1972 3,650,422

SHEET 1 OF 2 DOSSI E M. BATSON I/VVENTOI? BUCK/10R, BLORE, KLAROU/ST 8 SPAR/(MAN ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMARZI r912 3.650.422

SHEET 2 OF 2 DOSSIE M. BATSO'N INVENTOR B) BUC/(HOR/V, BLORE, KLAROU/ST 8 SPAR/(MAN ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to apparatus for storing and transferring a load between a position near ground level and a higher position on a load-supporting vehicle.

2. Description of the Prior Art Traditional systems for loading and unloading vehicles of containerized loads or loose loads includes the use of heavy lifting equipment such as cranes or, in the case of logs, large grapples. There is usually only one such grapple or crane at a loading or unloading site because of the expense of such equipment. Accordingly, expensive vehicles and drivers are often delayed at such site while waiting to be loaded or unloaded by the single loading device. On the other hand there are often long periods of inactivity for the expensive lifting equipment when the vehicles are finally loaded or unloaded. Thus the foregoing system is grossly inefficient in the use of both men and equipment.

Moreover, loads awaiting transfer with the above prior system often must be stored for long periodsat the loading or unloading site. This requires separate storage facilities, since the foregoing lifting equipment is not capable of storing loads. Such facilities further increase the expense and inefficiency of the loading or unloading operation.

The use of loading platforms or bunks which can be raised and lowered to and from the level of the vehicle for transferring loads has been suggested. But such apparatus has been unduly complex and therefore expensive and not adaptable for low-cost transfer and storage of loads. Moreover, such prior apparatus is incapable of handling large, heavy loads such as a truckload oflogs or a large containerized truckload.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the foregoing deficiencies in the prior art by providing a relatively simple low-cost apparatus which can store and transfer large heavy loads of truckload size, either loose or containerized. Loads are transferred sideways between a low level storage position alongside a vehicle and a higher level transport position on the vehicle load support. The apparatus includes a load support comprising a pair of stationary transfer bunks positioned alongside the vehicle to be loaded or unloaded. The bunks are offset longitudinally from the load-supporting surfaces ofthe vehicle.

Mechanism of the apparatus moves both bunks simultaneously along a generally curved path which avoids the vehicle and yet transfers the load upwardly and simultaneously sideways to center it above the vehicle load support. Then the bunks pass downwardly through the load-supporting plane of the vehicle to deposit the load on the vehicle load support.

The bunks pick up and transfer a load from the vehicle by passing in a modified path proceeding toward the vehicle at a level below the load-supporting plane of the vehicle and then upwardly through such plane to pick up the load. Then the bunks pass sideways above the vehicle load support and downwardly to its storage position alongside the vehicle.

Because of the relatively low cost, simplicity and rugged construction of the bunks, they may be used to store loads for long periods of time at a loading or unloading site. They also can be used in multiples so that numerous vehicles can be loaded or unloaded at the same time. This avoids the tie-up of expensive heavy-duty lifting equipment and load-carrying vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view ofa load transfer system in accordance with the invention; a

FIG. 2 is a perspective view on a smaller scale than FIG. 1 of the load transfer bunk portion ofthe system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view partially in section of one of the bunk portions of the transfer apparatus of FIG. 2 and an adjacent portion of a vehicle portion of the system with the bunk shown in its storage position; and

FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic view taken approximately along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing a bunk portion in its extended load transfer position at approximately the level of the load-supporting portion of the truck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to the drawing, FIG. 1 discloses a typical log truck 10 including a tractor l2 and trailer 14 with load-supporting tractor and trailer bunks l6, 18, respectively, each provided with normally upright but removable or collapsible load-containing stakes 20, 21. The two bunk assemblies are interconnected by a reach member 22. The truck is shown in a predetermined loading position alongside a load storage and transfer apparatus, indicated generally at 24, in accordance with the invention.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, the load storage and transfer apparatus includes a stationary base 26 having upwardly extending and longitudinally spaced-apart housing end portions 28, 29 supporting a pair of longitudinally spaced apart transfer bunks 32, 33. The transfer bunks together comprise a load-supporting means, with such bunks having generally horizontally and transversely extending load-supporting surfaces 35, 36. The two surfaces lie generally in the same horizontal plane at a level below the horizontal plane of load-supporting surfaces 38, 39 of vehicle bunks l6, 18, respectively, when the transfer bunks are supported in their storage positions on base members 28, 29. Both the transfer bunks 32, 33 and the vehicle bunks l6, 18 are thus adapted to support a load of loose elongate load members such as the load oflogs L indicated schematically in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. For this purpose each of the transfer bunks is equipped with a pair of normally upright load-containing stakes 42, 43 at the opposite ends thereof.

The interiors of both base end housings 28, 29 house means for moving the load transfer bunks 32, 33 from their storage positions shown in FIG. 2 to extended transfer positions in FIG. 4. The support-moving means includes multiple cylinder means within each base end housing, as shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. The cylinder means within both housings are operated simultaneously by control means at a control console 44 positioned adjacent the transfer unit as shown in FIG. 2. The console includes suitable manual controls, indicated generally at 46, for controlling the operation of a suitable motor-driven hydraulic pump unit 48 provided with appropriate conduit 50 leading to the cylinder means within base 26. Inasmuch as the invention does not reside in the hydraulic control circuit itself and because any suitable hydraulic control circuit readily known or devised by a person familiar with hydraulic controls could be used, the details of the hydraulic control circuitry are not disclosed further herein.

With reference to FIG. 3, the details of the support-moving mechanism for transfer bunk 32 is shown with such bunk positioned alongside vehicle 10 in its lowered and retracted storage position on base housing 28. In such position, bunk 32 supports load L at the level of load support surface35 of the bunk below the horizontal vehicle load-supporting plane as defined by the supporting surfaces 38, 39 of vehicle bunks l6, 18. The cylinder mechanism for moving the bunk 32 is identical to that used to move the rear transfer bunk 33 and therefore only the mechanism for bunk 32 is described further. This cylinder mechanism includes a first hydraulically extensible cylinder 52 connected at one end by a pin 53 to base housing 28 near one end of such housing. The cylinder is connected at its opposite, piston rod end by a pin 54 to bunk 32 in a manner so that extension of cylinder 52 tends to elevate bunk 32 from its storage position on base housing 28. A second hydraulically extensible cylinder 56 is connected by a pin 57 to an opposite end of base housing 28 and at its opposite end by a pin 58 to an intermediate portion of cylinder 52. Thus by extending cylinders 52 and 56 simultaneously, bunk 32 can be raised vertically and laterally along a path extending toward the truck 10, rather than in the laterally opposite direction as would be the case in the absence of extension of cylinder 56.

A third hydraulic cylinder 60 is hinged at one end by a pin 61 to an ear portion 62 of cylinder 52 and at its opposite, piston rod end by a pin 63 to bunk 32 at a position spaced from pin 54 of cylinder 52. The function of cylinder 60 is to maintain bunk surface 35 at a horizontal disposition as the two cylinders 52, 56 shift the bunk upwardly and toward the vehicle.

OPERATION Operation of the transfer bunks in a loading system including the vehicle is best described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4. The operation will be explained first with reference to the transfer of a load of logs L from a storage position near ground level on transfer bunk surface 35 to a transport level at the supporting surface 38 of the log truck 10. To shift the load L to the truck, cylinders 52 and 56 are extended 39 to extents sufficient to elevate platform 32 along a curvilinear transfer path 66. In its initial stages path 66 is more vertical than horizontal to enable the left-hand side of transfer bunk 32 and its left-hand stake 42 to clear the right side of truck 10 as the transfer bunk moves simultaneously upwardly and toward the load-supporting level of the truck bunks. In the later stages of the transfer, when bunk 32 has been elevated to a level above the plane 38 of the truck bunks, path 66 is flattened out to proceed more nearly horizontally by stopping the extension of cylinder 52 while continuing the extension of cylinder 56. Path 66 continues horizontally to the left in FIG. 3 above the load-supporting plane 38 of the truck until center point 54 of the transfer bunk reaches the position 54 directly above the longitudinal centerline of the load-supporting plane 38 of the truck. Then cylinders 52 and 56 are retracted to an extent sufficient to lower bunk 32 through the vehicle support plane 38 along generally vertical path 67 to a position 54" below the load-supporting level of the truck, whereby load L is transferred to the load-supporting surfaces 38, 39 of truck bunks 16, 18.

The position of transfer bunk 32 and the load L when point 54 has been transferred to its extended position 54' is shown in FIG. 4 just prior to the time that the transfer bunk 32 is lowered through the load support plane 38 of the truck. After the transfer bunk is lowered to position 54" to deposit the load on the truck bunks, the loose load will continue to be confined laterally by stakes 42, 43 of the transfer bunks. However, at this point the removable stakes 21 of the truck bunks, which have until now been removed to enable load L to clear such stakes, are placed in their upright positions at the righthand ends of the truck bunks. The truck stakes are positioned slightly outwardly of the transfer stakes to provide some tolerance in positioning a load within the confines of the truck stakes. When truck stakes 21 are erected, transfer stakes 42 are dropped to a generally horizontal position 42' as shown in FIG, 4 whereby the load becomes contained by the truck stakes 20, instead of transfer stakes 42. This permits the transfer bunks to be withdrawn from the truck along path 68 by retraction of cylinders 52 and 56. During such withdrawal, load L swells laterally slightly due to the slightly greater lateral spacing between truck stakes than between the transfer stakes. Path 68 follows an initial course which is generally horizontal and below the support level 38 of the truck so as to enable the transfer bunks to clear the truck, then follows a more downwardly course to return such bunks to their storage positions on base 26.

As shown in H0. 4, stake 42 can be dropped automatically by extension ofa stake control cylinder 70 carried by bunk 32 and connected to the stake by a cable 72. The other transfer stakes can be raised and dropped by similar cylinder and cable means. The stake cylinders can be operated by control means on the transfer bunk 32 which would eliminate the problem of having hoses extending from the movable bunks to the remote control console 44. However, by providing such hoses, the stake cylinders could be operated remotely from such control console.

During the entire transfer operation cylinder 60 is extended or retracted as required to maintain bunk 32 in a generally horizontal disposition.

When transferring a load from the truck 10 to a storage position alongside the truck, bunks 32, 33 move along a path which is the reverse of paths 66, 67 and 68 of FIG. 3. That is, the empty bunks would be transferred first from base 26 along path 68 to position 54 wherein the transfer bunks lie just below the load support plane of the truck, and then upwardly through such plane along path 67 to position 54' to pick up the load from the truck and finally laterally and downwardly along path 66 to a storage position on base 26. Of course, transfer stakes 42 would be dropped during initial transfer of the bunks to the truck and raised to their upright positions when the bunks reach position 54, just after the transfer bunks have begun to support the load. Then the right-hand truck stakes of FIG. 3 would be dropped before bunks 32, 33 are moved along path 66 to permit the load to clear the truck stakes in returning the transfer bunks to the base.

It is to be understood that outrigger devices (not shown) may be required to stabilize the transfer base 26 and its supported elements when the transfer bunks are in their fully extended positions overlying the truck and supporting a load.

It may also be desirable to provide means for dropping both of the opposite transfer stakes 42, 43 of each transfer bunk to enable loading of the transferbunks from the side opposite the side adjacent the vehicle when such bunks are in their storage positions.

It is to be understood that the transfer bunks may be modified to enable the handling of containerized loads as well as loose loads. ln handling containerized loads, upright stakes 42, 43 could be omitted, as would be the corresponding truck stakes, although it would be desirable to provide some sort of lateral limit determining means, such as modified stakes of shortened length, for the container being transferred.

The same principle of transfer could be used in a modified bunk arrangement wherein a single bunk platform would be substituted for the two separate transfer bunks 32, 33 disclosed, in which case the platform would be positioned between the spaced truck bunks. Conversely, if the truck had a single loadsupporting platform, a pair of transfer bunks would be provided in position offset longitudinally from the opposite ends of the truck platform.

Having illustrated and described an embodiment illustrative of the principles of the invention, numerous other modifications and equivalents in arrangement and detail will undoubtedly occur to persons skilled in the art. The illustrated embodiment is not intended as a limitation on the scope of the invention, it being intended to cover all modifications and equivalents embodying principles within the scope of the invention.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for transferring a load between a storage position at a low level to a transport position at a higher level and offset laterally alongside said storage position comprising:

a low level base stationarily positioned alongside said transport position,

girder or platform-type load support means for undergirding and supporting the full base width of a load in said storage position at said low level,

said load support means being positioned over and supported on said base in said low level storage position, extensible support moving means connecting said support means to said base,

said support moving means including means for elevating said support means bodily from said base and simultaneouslytshifting said support means bodily sideways and towards said high level transport position to a position overlying said transport position, then vertically through said transport position and for returning said support means sideways and simultaneously downwardly from adjacent said transport position to said storage position, and

means for maintaining said load support means in a horizontal disposition during said elevating and sideways movement.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support moving means including said elevating and side-shifting means is operable to move said support means upwardly and simultaneously sideways along a generally curvilinear path toward said transport position.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support means including said elevating means and side-shifting means is operable to move said support means along a first path from said storage position toward said transport position and along a second path away from said transport position and toward said storage position, with said first and second paths together defining a closed loop path proceeding in a direction generally vertically through said transport position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said closed loop path proceeds downwardly through said transport position when transferring a load from said storage position to said transport position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said closed loop path proceeds upwardly through said transport position when transferring a load from said transport position to said storage position.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support moving means comprises multiple fluid powered extensible cylinder means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said multiple cylinder means includes a first cylinder connected at one end to said base and at the other end to said support means for providing a vertical component of movement to said support means, a second cylinder connected at one end to said base and at the other end to said first cylinder to provide a lateral component of movement to said support means, and a third cylinder for maintaining said load support means in a generally horizontal disposition during the transfer of said load support means between said storage position and said transport position.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for maintaining said load-supporting surface in a generally horizontal disposition comprises a third cylinder connected at one end to said first cylinder and at the other end to said load support means at a position spaced from the connection of said first cylinder to said load support means.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load support means includes a pair of load support bunks each defining a horizontally extending load-supporting surface, said bunks being spaced longitudinally from one another alongside said transport position and at opposite ends of said base.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said base includes a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart base housings each supporting one of said bunks and each housing said support-moving means for the associated one of said bunks.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each load support means includes a pair of lateral load-containing means extending upwardly from laterally opposite sides of said support means.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein at least one of said lateral load-containing means is movable from a normally upright position for containing a load laterally on said support means to a collapsed position for releasing a loose load laterally from said support means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 including power means carried by support means for moving said movable load-containing means between upright and collapsed positions.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support moving means moves said support means along a first path upwardly and laterally above said higher level to a first position centered above said transport position, then downwardly through said higher level to a second position centered below said transport position, then laterally and downwardly below said higher level toward said storage position in transferring a load from said storage position to said transport position. 

1. Apparatus for transferring a load between a storage position at a low level to a transport position at a higher level and offset laterally alongside said storage position comprising: a low level base stationarily positioned alongside said transport position, girder or platform-type load support means for undergirding and supporting the full base width of a load in said storage position at said low level, said load support means being positioned over and supported on said base in said low level storage position, extensible support moving means connecting said support means to said base, said support moving means including means for elevating said support means bodily from said base and simultaneously shifting said support means bodily sideways and towards said high level transport position to a position overlying said transport position, then vertically through said transport position and for returning said support means sideways and simultaneously downwardly from adjacent said transport position to said storage position, and means for maintaining said load support means in a horizontal disposition during said elevating and sideways movement.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support moving means including said elevating and side-shifting means is operable to move said support means upwardly and simultaneously sideways along a generally curvilinear path toward said transport position.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support means including said elevating means and side-shifting means is operable to move said support means along a first path from said storage position toward said transport position and along a second path away from said transport position and toward said storage position, with said first and second paths together defining a closed loop path proceeding in a direction generally vertically through said transport position.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said closed loop path proceeds downwardly through said transport position when transferring a load from said storage position to said transport position.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said closed loop path proceeds upwardly through said transport position when transferring a load from said transport position to said storage position.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support moving means comprises multiple fluid powered extensible cylinder means.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said multiple cylinder means includes a first cylinder connected at one end to said base and at the other end to said support means for providing a vertical component of movement to said support means, a second cylinder connected at one end to said base and at the other end to said first cylinder to provide a lateral component of movement to said support means, and a third cylinder for maintaining said load support means in a generally horizontal disposition during the transfer of said load support means between said storage position and said transport position.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for maintaining said load-supporting surface in a generally horizontal disposition comprises a third cylinder connecTed at one end to said first cylinder and at the other end to said load support means at a position spaced from the connection of said first cylinder to said load support means.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load support means includes a pair of load support bunks each defining a horizontally extending load-supporting surface, said bunks being spaced longitudinally from one another alongside said transport position and at opposite ends of said base.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said base includes a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart base housings each supporting one of said bunks and each housing said support-moving means for the associated one of said bunks.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each load support means includes a pair of lateral load-containing means extending upwardly from laterally opposite sides of said support means.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein at least one of said lateral load-containing means is movable from a normally upright position for containing a load laterally on said support means to a collapsed position for releasing a loose load laterally from said support means.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 including power means carried by support means for moving said movable load-containing means between upright and collapsed positions.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support moving means moves said support means along a first path upwardly and laterally above said higher level to a first position centered above said transport position, then downwardly through said higher level to a second position centered below said transport position, then laterally and downwardly below said higher level toward said storage position in transferring a load from said storage position to said transport position. 